Boat Rocker buys Platform One

Orphan Black and Danger Mouse prodco Boat Rocker Media has acquired LA-based TV production company Platform One Media.

Katie O’Connell Marsh

As part of the deal, Platform One CEO Katie O’Connell Marsh has been promoted to founder and chairman and will be taking up a yet-to-be-announced senior leadership role at Boat Rocker.

Platform One chief creative officer Elisa Ellis and head of finance and strategy Steve Lescroart have been promoted to co-presidents of Platform One, reporting to former Gaumont Television chief O’Connell Marsh, effective immediately.

Platform One’s productions include Rust for Showtime, based on Philipp Meyer’s debut novel American Rust; Showtime pilot Rita, starring Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey; and Beacon 23, a drama series from Zak Penn (Avengers) for Spectrum Originals.

The two-year-old company has also been greenlit to produce an as-yet-untitled science fiction series from Simon Kinberg and David Weil for Apple, and has a first-look television deal with Laura Dern and Jayme Lemon’s production company Jaywalker Pictures.

The move continues Boat Rocker’s expansion into the US market, following its recent acquisition of unscripted prodco Matador Content and purchase of a stake in talent and production company Untitled Entertainment. Boat Rocker has also acquired Fremantle’s Kids & Family business and Insight Productions, and has offices in Toronto, London and New York.

“Platform One represents an unbelievable opportunity for Boat Rocker to build off of successful franchises like Orphan Black and expand its presence in scripted television and film,” said Boat Rocker co-founders and co-executive chairmen Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier in a statement.

“Under Katie’s leadership, the studio is producing some of the biggest and most anticipated television series in the world, while maintaining its trademark curated and boutique approach to its slate and partnerships.”

“The ethos and shared outlook on the ever-changing global media business was the primary driver in pursuing this opportunity with Boat Rocker,” said O’Connell Marsh.